Saudi Man Locks Indian Football Supporters In Birdcage, Claims It Was A ‘Joke’ After Being Arrested

A Saudi man has been arrested after a video of him locking Indian football supporters in a birdcage had gone viral, The New Indian Express reports.

According to Khaleej Times, the UAE's Attorney General office released a statement in the relation of the offensive video. "The video allegedly shows a man who locked up several men of Asian nationality in a bird cage. They were supposed to cheer for the UAE national team in their match against India in the AFC Asian Cup”, the statement said.

The statement adds that legal action was taken against the man and reports have been submitted to the prosecutor's office.

The man, in his defence, is claiming that the video is a “joke”.

"These men are my workers, one of whom I've known for 22 years. I live with my men on this farm, we eat from the same plate. I did not beat them, nor did I truly 'lock' them up," he stated.

The man, trying to explain to people his intention, said, "This is the Year of Tolerance." The video went viral in the run-up to Indian National Football Team’s match against the hosts UAE in the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

The man in the video had jailed a few workers inside a birdcage and is seen asking them which team they support, and when the men stated their support for India, he told them it was not good, and they needed to support the UAE since it provided for them and ensured the men reiterated their support for the UAE.

Sharjah Police responded to the video warning people against spreading violence and stating that people creating the video had been arrested.